(click pic)
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
Friday, November 13, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
R&B Thuggery
I'm not one to really follow too much R&B (too sappy for me sometimes) but right now listening to what the new trend in the music is, it's become clear to me that R&B Thuggery is back...
R&B Thuggery is characterized by 1) open promiscuity & playerism, 2) club beats R&B, 3) money talk, 4) singing about the streets, 5) throwing in the occasional Love Love song with a rough edge, etc.
Examples:
Trey Songz
Robin Thick - Mr. Blue-Eyed Soul Himself
and even though I feel like this song is a male version of "Upgrade Ya", it still shows where Chris Brown is trying to go
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
R&B Thuggery is characterized by 1) open promiscuity & playerism, 2) club beats R&B, 3) money talk, 4) singing about the streets, 5) throwing in the occasional Love Love song with a rough edge, etc.
Examples:
Trey Songz
Robin Thick - Mr. Blue-Eyed Soul Himself
and even though I feel like this song is a male version of "Upgrade Ya", it still shows where Chris Brown is trying to go
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
Thursday, October 29, 2009
KGB Condoning College Cheating?
Is KGB (Knowledge Generation Bureau), an SMS-based info service, condoning cheating in college with this commercial?
Probably not. But that's how it feels.
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RHtiTjBxJY]
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
Probably not. But that's how it feels.
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RHtiTjBxJY]
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
Jay-Z/Alicia Keys perform at Yankee Stadium -- Game 2 World Series
So I'm convinced that Jay-Z and Alicia Keys powered the Yankees up for the win over the Phillies tonight. Powerful song for a powerful city. Missed it? Here it is:
...oh yeah, and no Lil Mama...lol (I had to throw that in)
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
...oh yeah, and no Lil Mama...lol (I had to throw that in)
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
Pedro Martinez: Most Influential player ever to walk into Yankee Stadium?
Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.
Pedro is a great interviewer though...
Summit on the Summit
Spread the word about the Summit on the Summit campaign to raise awareness about the global clean water crisis. As the climbers climb, they will be posting pictures, tweets, etc. to share the experience. Check out the website to see who will be climbing and how to get involved.
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforeword.blogspot.com
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Gotta Love Music...Straight UP!
How AWESOME is this???
The musician in this clip records a song in less than 4 minutes, and I must say, it's FIRE!
Click on the picture or below to check it out:
Musician Creates A Looping Song From Violens And Drums
Posted using ShareThis
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
The musician in this clip records a song in less than 4 minutes, and I must say, it's FIRE!
Click on the picture or below to check it out:
Musician Creates A Looping Song From Violens And Drums
Posted using ShareThis
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
The Eight Irresistible Principles of FUN
Here's a good, motivational find that I Stumbled-Upon today. It highlights 8 principles of fun--characterized as one of the things in life that are not absolutely necessary, but accentuates life.
As I see it, these principles can be easily applied to other areas of self-improvement: building relationships, financial recovery, personal success, self-esteem, entrepreneurship, etc. Think of some areas in your life that you would like to improve. These common sense principles may be able to apply there also.
Click on any of the photos and you will be redirected to the website. Check it out, think about each principle, and tell me what you think.
www.eightprinciples.com//
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
Best BET Cipher 09
The BEST BET Hip Hop Awards Cipher set I've seen...
Mos Def, Black Thought, Eminem (RIPPED IT)
Enjoy!
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
Mos Def, Black Thought, Eminem (RIPPED IT)
Enjoy!
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Yankees World Series 2009
Now, I have been a Yankee fan for as far back as I remember. I still have some old cards that used to come in those packs with a stick of bubble gum inside them. Every week I would go to the comic book store, grab a few packs of baseball and basketball cards to put in my binder. I would bring that binder to my baseball games and practices so that before and after the game, I could compare and brag about what cards I had that my teammates wanted.
Tonight's win by the Yankees brought me back to those days.
After the initial excitement of the win settled down (I'm still pretty pumped about it), I was sitting, watching the montage of Yankee reactions from various camera angles. It brought me back to a year when I was playing in little league, on the team with one of the worst records in the league. By a miracle we made the playoffs as the last seed. We ended up in the Championship game. We lost in the Championships, and I vaguely remember how that loss felt. But I vividly recall the game that we won to put us in the championships...as well as each unexpected, hustle-hard, tense game that led up to that championship. Those are feelings that I will not forget.
Seeing Teixera, Jeter and A. Rod meet midfield to embrace and jump around like 10 year old kids reminded me of myself. For a second, I got goosebumps. The camera switched over to Joe Girardi, who was once a teammate to some of the current Yankees (Jeter, Posada, Petitte), and he couldn't contain himself. After the final pitch, Posada and Mo Rivera calmly pumped their fists as they walked toward each other, and within only a few steps, could not help but lightly jog to one another, smiling gleefully in ways that only one's inner child could muster up, leading to a excited embrace.
I remember feeling like that and for a second, while watching the Yankees rejoice, I was stuck, seeing myself as a kid trying to contain my excitement but failing to restrain it.
And it got me thinking, "this is the feeling that everyone person wants to feel". Many of us want to be the best at what we do and we wish to acheive greatness. The icing on the deal would be to be recognized for proving that we are the best at what we do. We all want to win! From kids...to adults. That excitement that we feel when we win, and the pain that we feel after we lose (LA Angels tonight), is a universal, ageless feeling.
My desire to succeed and become the best at what I do was boosted up watching the conclusion this game in ways that only NY sports can do for me.
Everyday, believe in yourself. Do what you love. Be what you love. What you love is ageless, timeless, universal. Make it count and the world will watch.
Also, to put something into perspectiv: prime time baseball players get paid millions to sustain a strong .300 batting average. That means they get on base 30% of the time. The other 70% of the time, they're out. But when that .300 counts, they're expected to produce.
Think about that...
I'm just hoping the Knicks can give me this feeling again soon :(
Over and out.
--
a.Rias
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
We Were Once a Fairy Tale by Spike Jonez
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Random Internet Finds
Caricature Map of Europe in 1914
Random funny comics and quizzes to pass some time doing with absolutely no expectation of gaining an ounce of knowledge or personal betterment, lol, at http://theoatmeal.com/
A dude facing a question I hated answering as a kid. I should have thought of this as an answer. [having embedding issues, will try again later]
Some political humor...
Random funny comics and quizzes to pass some time doing with absolutely no expectation of gaining an ounce of knowledge or personal betterment, lol, at http://theoatmeal.com/
A dude facing a question I hated answering as a kid. I should have thought of this as an answer. [having embedding issues, will try again later]
Volkwagon tests the "fun theory" to get people to walk stairs more. [embedding issues]
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Epitome of Awesomeness
The Epitome of Awesomeness
http://bit.ly/3fHjKx
(via NPR news)
The guy in this short article was mugged, offered the mugger his coat, took the mugger to dinner and probably changed the mugger's life forever.
Awesome way to start a weekend.
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
"head up, eyes open"
http://bit.ly/3fHjKx
(via NPR news)
The guy in this short article was mugged, offered the mugger his coat, took the mugger to dinner and probably changed the mugger's life forever.
Awesome way to start a weekend.
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
"head up, eyes open"
Monday, October 5, 2009
Filthy Wealth from the Inside
So, I decided not to go to the theater to watch Michael Moore's "Capitalism". As a ready habitué of the full spectrum of information, I chose not to go not because I'm not interested in what the film has to say, but because I can't see myself paying into what the movie intends to debunk. The irony is just too much.
But in the spirit of examining wealth in this country and around the world, I checked out a few docs today and yesterday; both by Jaime Johnson (an heir of the Johnson & Johnson company). What better way to take a look at extreme wealth from the inside?
"The 1 Percent" (link - Part 1 of 8)
A doc about the wealthiest 1% from the inside.
"Born Rich" (link - Part 1 of 7)
A doc about the children and other heirs of the wealthiest 1% from the inside.
Interesting perspective and I appreciate the intent of Jamie Johnson in putting these docs together. Can't hurt to check it out.
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
But in the spirit of examining wealth in this country and around the world, I checked out a few docs today and yesterday; both by Jaime Johnson (an heir of the Johnson & Johnson company). What better way to take a look at extreme wealth from the inside?
"The 1 Percent" (link - Part 1 of 8)
A doc about the wealthiest 1% from the inside.
"Born Rich" (link - Part 1 of 7)
A doc about the children and other heirs of the wealthiest 1% from the inside.
Interesting perspective and I appreciate the intent of Jamie Johnson in putting these docs together. Can't hurt to check it out.
--
a.Rias
www.thinkforewords.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Just some good finds on the Internets...
Some random things I stumbled upon on youtube.
Enjoy.
100 Famous Rock Guitar Riffs -- One Take!
100 Greatest Hits of Youtube in <4 minutes!
--
a.Rias
thinkforewords.blogspot.com
Enjoy.
100 Famous Rock Guitar Riffs -- One Take!
100 Greatest Hits of Youtube in <4 minutes!
--
a.Rias
thinkforewords.blogspot.com
Capitalism in Michael Moore's Cross-Hairs
Amid a number of battles the U.S. finds itself in the trenches of (foreign efforts, health care reform, drug law reform, big pharma, etc.), the questions swirling around the country's economic solvency have started to bring focus away from the symptoms and closer to the root. The place of Capitalism within our Democratic fabric is now within the cross-hairs of filmmaker Michael Moore. Closing in on the opening day of his new film "Capitalism: A Love Story", the filmmaker is making his rounds on the television interview circuit (links below).
I'm conflicted! I want to see the film but I don't want to go to a theater to see it. Why? Well, it's an anti-Capitalism movie. Paying to go to a movie is paying into Capitalism, right? Whether I am pro-Capitalism or anti-Capitalism doesn't matter here; I think both pro- and anti- people will still want to see it either to praise it or debunk it. But most people, whether pro- or anti-, will be going to a theater to watch it. So who wins in this scenario? Pro- or Anti- ? The message gets to the masses (1 point Anti-). The masses pay to get the message (1 point Pro-). Hmm...
Any free screenings going on anywhere? lol
On CNBC: (Link to video)
On CNN w/Wolf Blitzer: (Link)
On MSNBC's Hardball w/Chris Matthews: (Link)
On MSNBC's Countdown w/Keith Olberman (Link)
On CNN's Larry King Live w/Larry King (Link)
Official Trailer (Link)
--
a.Rias
thinkforewords.blogspot.com
poli-babble.blogspot.com
Need Motivation?
Life = Risk.
Be Water, my friend.
Be the Zebra.
You want something, you get it. Period.
Need motivation?
--
a.Rias
thinkforewords.blogspot.com
Be Water, my friend.
Be the Zebra.
You want something, you get it. Period.
Need motivation?
--
a.Rias
thinkforewords.blogspot.com
Monday, September 7, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
The Wash
The Wash - a.Rias
With curves intense, for all intents and purposes;
Effortlessly pocketing the sun's admiration on all of her surfaces.
She warms at the core, her reflection is sizzling;
Her essence emanating from her form with eaaaaase, melting.
Engineered apparatus; Smooth in her synthesis.
Trap me in your freedom, I'm wrapped up, like Christmas.
Wisps whip from lip to tip in ways only experience knows;
Step by step, seducing every inch of the ground with her toes.
Seen at every angle, at every glance, three-sixty, her objects are closer than they appear.
Owning her path because she's with me, but to our destination, she prefers that I steer.
The shine is bright whether day or night;
You won't miss an inch, every bit is tight.
Confused, get lost, make moves to catch up, you're surpassed;
Or forget you're moving forward because you keep looking back.
This effect on a man is crystal clear both near and far.
Haven't seen it? Just look at his face when he's washing his Car.
The Wash.
--
a.Rias
With curves intense, for all intents and purposes;
Effortlessly pocketing the sun's admiration on all of her surfaces.
She warms at the core, her reflection is sizzling;
Her essence emanating from her form with eaaaaase, melting.
Engineered apparatus; Smooth in her synthesis.
Trap me in your freedom, I'm wrapped up, like Christmas.
Wisps whip from lip to tip in ways only experience knows;
Step by step, seducing every inch of the ground with her toes.
Seen at every angle, at every glance, three-sixty, her objects are closer than they appear.
Owning her path because she's with me, but to our destination, she prefers that I steer.
The shine is bright whether day or night;
You won't miss an inch, every bit is tight.
Confused, get lost, make moves to catch up, you're surpassed;
Or forget you're moving forward because you keep looking back.
This effect on a man is crystal clear both near and far.
Haven't seen it? Just look at his face when he's washing his Car.
The Wash.
--
a.Rias
Good Grades=Entrepreneur or Good Employee?
Are "good" grades an indicator of self-employment?
http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/20/do-good-students-become-entrepreneurs/
Any thoughts?
--
a.Rias
http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/20/do-good-students-become-entrepreneurs/
Any thoughts?
--
a.Rias
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
I'll Be Back
I'll Be Back
Unleaded, delivered;
Transmission, is different;
Mission, unending, open-ended, long-winded.
The road, I'm on it;
I own it, components, to focus;
I'm on it, I'm off it, I'll take it, I'm going.
Exhaust, is toxic;
Maneuvers, aerobic;
Parallels, mock it, impedes, allergic.
Reflection, I'm here;
Rear-view, not there;
Side-view, is closer than objects appears.
I'll be back, where I grew, where I grow, that will steer.
I'll be back, notched year to year, where I've gone, will still be here.
Why I left is why I'm back, the gift of growth is right on track;
With why I leap and how I fly, so now I'm back to why, am I;
Switching gears, its easy to, maintain the move, adapt and move.
Windshield protected, the spaceship perfected;
The tune up, life's tool box;
Ignition, persistence, Equipped with vision;
The blueprint, I thank her, I'll be back, my Anchor.
--
a.Rias
Unleaded, delivered;
Transmission, is different;
Mission, unending, open-ended, long-winded.
The road, I'm on it;
I own it, components, to focus;
I'm on it, I'm off it, I'll take it, I'm going.
Exhaust, is toxic;
Maneuvers, aerobic;
Parallels, mock it, impedes, allergic.
Reflection, I'm here;
Rear-view, not there;
Side-view, is closer than objects appears.
I'll be back, where I grew, where I grow, that will steer.
I'll be back, notched year to year, where I've gone, will still be here.
Why I left is why I'm back, the gift of growth is right on track;
With why I leap and how I fly, so now I'm back to why, am I;
Switching gears, its easy to, maintain the move, adapt and move.
Windshield protected, the spaceship perfected;
The tune up, life's tool box;
Ignition, persistence, Equipped with vision;
The blueprint, I thank her, I'll be back, my Anchor.
--
a.Rias
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Four Words
This is the first time I've posted anything up that I've written in an attempt at poetry. It's more like a mental flush. I was having a hard time finding the words for a particular situation. So this was me reflecting on the words I was having a difficult time articulating and allowed me to organize some of the jumbled thoughts I was having at the time. I eventually found the words.
Four Words (written June 2008)
I was never forwards.
Backwards maybe,
Mission completed through strategy...maybe
This goes here, that goes there, do this, get that…done.
Next.
Scarves protect your neck against the uncertainties of the world… exactly, matter of fact-ly.
Walk around, pride on your chest, and we all know it serves as a bullet proof vest.
Watch out for the head shots!
Time moves forward…
You have no choice of how fast you’re going
Can’t take the next step when you’re thinking and not knowing
When you’re thinking about the steps you already took…
Driving your economy car in reverse, reading life’s How To book
But all this makes no sense, unless I retrace my steps
Before the passed and failed tests, the Lego sets, and the laying of this egg in my parent’s nest
I was born before words.
These words are just words.
And what I think I am now is because of these words
Before my Self became a self composed of these words
From which I am described…I am…these words.
And now…
I’m an idea dismembered by Webster’s (s)words.
Put together by societal wars
Built into an edifice of existence, structured and firm
With no ceiling, no floor and a laissez faire attitude with no locks on the back door; contra-diction.
What the hell are we waiting forrrr…Breathe.
Fast forward, rewind, pause…I’ve got it
Stop.
Sticks and stones may break my bones
And words create clones and drones
The red light is glowing, we’re waiting for the green to get going
And once you hear the word GO, you still don’t step
Seat belt, airbag, rear mirrors…check.
Words are unjust, thus adjusting our lives, thrust us into a meaning without justice
Is it just us or has the world grown dependant upon words discussed
The world’s disgust, devoid of self-trust, undefined truth like love and lust
To Be…
What I am before the limiting structure of grouped letters, syllables, and cleverly cluttered conundrums
Climbing from the components of my larynx
Collecting into the coils of your tympanic membrane
Relentlessly slamming my words against your eardrums
Self-calculating into a false clarity of consciousness of what are really just vibrating airborne molecules…
What am I saying?
What does it mean?
What game is your mind playing?
How…would you know if it’s Playstation, Xbox or Wii
We didn’t create these words…and we don’t define them…do we?
Before these words, I was indescribable, Incomparable
I lived before these words and I will live beyond these words
For now I forecast in Four Words, for-my-future’s-future
and I bring my words together like a suture. My life, for-my-future's-future.
Play.
I am, before these words I say
I am, a step before them and a step behind
Before these words reach your ear, they reside in my mind
I own them, they are mine
…With that said, I offer them to You
To be re-framed and re-constructed by You
Into an existence maintained by You
If they make you want to move, then MOVE!
Be forward, It echoes…
Be forwards
Before words
Be for words
Be four words
Be Forward, Before Words.
Go. For-My-Future's-Future
Friday, January 9, 2009
Re: Again?...Desensitization Commence
After posting just the bare information, I just couldn't help but have more thoughts on this situation.
Watching the videos and reading the articles makes this situation just unreal to me (notice the label: Beyond My Comprehension)...
The story of this shooting bothers me...obviously.
Obviously, the fact that the young man was shot for no reason bothers me. He was only a few months younger than I am. Obviously, the fact that the shooting was in a public transportation hub bothers me. "Reckless" is an understatement. Obviously, the fact that the officer claims that it was an accident BOTHERS me. He thought he was shooting his taser? Why would he taze him anyway? He was cuffed, laying on his stomach...
Oscar Grant, the man shot in Oakland...22 yrs old.
Amadou Diallo, shot by police in the Bronx in 99...23 yrs old.
Shawn Bell shot by police in Queens in 06...23 yrs old.
What bothers me most is that the public seems to be desensitized to situations like this. And just so I'm clear, I'm not surprised at the reaction of desensitization and, actually, I'm not upset with the masses for becoming desensitized. I feel as though, to equal and simultaneous extents, the main stream desensitizes the whole while individuals fight AND/OR allow desensitization.
Idealism just will not work here. Let's be realistic. I'm upset with the fact that incidents like this continuously occur (why?) and am upset with the possibility that our consciousness can, at some point, become immune to reacting to excessive force incidents--like the body's immunity to "chicken pox" or a bacteria's immunity to an antibiotic. I'm looking beyond today. What are the long-term implications of actions like this?
DESENSITIZE –verb (used with object), -tized, -tiz⋅ing.
1. to lessen the sensitiveness of.
2. to make indifferent, unaware, or the like, in feeling.
Even in my lack of reaction, I am upset. I am upset that I am not MORE upset. It's hard to be extremely upset when you are not surprised by something. Instead, I am upset, mixed with a lot of disappointment.
With all of the violence that we are constantly bombarded with, how do we feel anything?
One of the most striking things about this is how young this man was before the prime of his liwas stripped from him--like Diallo and Bell. Why are we "getting used to" young men shot and killed by police?
I apologize for the rant-y-ness of this post and how unorganized it may be...
I feel like I have to address the racial implications of this case-- but not to bring up the fact that Oscar Grant, Diallo and Bell were of a darker complexion. My idealistic side would have me believe that these incidents occur across racial lines when put into the context of the entire country, where this is infact a vast majority. I don't want to hear about a white, Asian, etc. person having this happen to them. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE...but why does it just seem to happen to us?
I'm sure it happens with other groups, but it doesn't get spread across the airwaves of mass media. Are we a spectacle, a show for everyone to look at and think "...again?" And the more that "...again?" happens, the increased likelihood that we'll feel nothing from it. Right?
The day when no one reacts to the brutal killing of an innocent person, regardless of his stratified group, is the day when all humanity has experienced the height of suffering and self-abuse. When numbing occurs when the body is extremely cold or extremely hot, numbing that occurs after flesh is burned or cut, numbing that occurs when love is betrayed, are all caused by external entities. When those externals are removed, prevented or eliminated, numbing does also. However, the numbing that occurs when failure is an accepted aspect of life, the numbing that occurs when one's actions are gauged, not based on personal asperations, but based on the failures of others, all exist internally. These internal entities cannot simply be removed. They need to be extracted carefully, piece-by-piece. Otherwise, the foundation that has been invaded will exist severely damaged. Internal entities of self-control (or coping) serve as a mechanism for dealing with life and fills a gap. Swiftly removing a coping mechanism away that helps a person "deal", places them at a disadvantage--mentally, emotionally and in some cases, physically.
So America cannot and will not just stop the process of glorified violence and destruction because it fills the gaps in our culture. America needs to be weened off of this drug--like a consciousness rehabilitation.
When we are numb from self-inflicted pain, no "pain" will exist, but damage will persist.
So a part of me is relieved that people are rioting and 60 people addressed the BART Board about this because it means that the pain is still sharp enough to cause a reaction, not because pain is good, but because pain needs to cause a reaction so that a "teachable moment" is realized.
At what point will we stop abusing ourselves? Pain is the America's drug of choice...and we will OD--but when?
Below is an article on the resignation of the officer who shot the 22 year-old man. I'll be following the outcomes of this. I don't know about you...
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/07/BART.shooting/index.html?iref=newssearch
Another video highlighting the riots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFsYYsB9B8k
I think I got that monkey off my back...I think.
...I didn't even discuss police brutality!!
I didn't discuss what changes could reform the way that law enforcement behaves, organizes, ranks itself and can ultimately revamp the way that law enforcement is perceived by the public!
AHHH...I feel unfulfilled by this post. The monkey is now a gorilla...
Another time...
Watching the videos and reading the articles makes this situation just unreal to me (notice the label: Beyond My Comprehension)...
The story of this shooting bothers me...obviously.
Obviously, the fact that the young man was shot for no reason bothers me. He was only a few months younger than I am. Obviously, the fact that the shooting was in a public transportation hub bothers me. "Reckless" is an understatement. Obviously, the fact that the officer claims that it was an accident BOTHERS me. He thought he was shooting his taser? Why would he taze him anyway? He was cuffed, laying on his stomach...
Oscar Grant, the man shot in Oakland...22 yrs old.
Amadou Diallo, shot by police in the Bronx in 99...23 yrs old.
Shawn Bell shot by police in Queens in 06...23 yrs old.
What bothers me most is that the public seems to be desensitized to situations like this. And just so I'm clear, I'm not surprised at the reaction of desensitization and, actually, I'm not upset with the masses for becoming desensitized. I feel as though, to equal and simultaneous extents, the main stream desensitizes the whole while individuals fight AND/OR allow desensitization.
Idealism just will not work here. Let's be realistic. I'm upset with the fact that incidents like this continuously occur (why?) and am upset with the possibility that our consciousness can, at some point, become immune to reacting to excessive force incidents--like the body's immunity to "chicken pox" or a bacteria's immunity to an antibiotic. I'm looking beyond today. What are the long-term implications of actions like this?
DESENSITIZE –verb (used with object), -tized, -tiz⋅ing.
1. to lessen the sensitiveness of.
2. to make indifferent, unaware, or the like, in feeling.
Even in my lack of reaction, I am upset. I am upset that I am not MORE upset. It's hard to be extremely upset when you are not surprised by something. Instead, I am upset, mixed with a lot of disappointment.
With all of the violence that we are constantly bombarded with, how do we feel anything?
One of the most striking things about this is how young this man was before the prime of his liwas stripped from him--like Diallo and Bell. Why are we "getting used to" young men shot and killed by police?
I apologize for the rant-y-ness of this post and how unorganized it may be...
I feel like I have to address the racial implications of this case-- but not to bring up the fact that Oscar Grant, Diallo and Bell were of a darker complexion. My idealistic side would have me believe that these incidents occur across racial lines when put into the context of the entire country, where this is infact a vast majority. I don't want to hear about a white, Asian, etc. person having this happen to them. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE...but why does it just seem to happen to us?
I'm sure it happens with other groups, but it doesn't get spread across the airwaves of mass media. Are we a spectacle, a show for everyone to look at and think "...again?" And the more that "...again?" happens, the increased likelihood that we'll feel nothing from it. Right?
The day when no one reacts to the brutal killing of an innocent person, regardless of his stratified group, is the day when all humanity has experienced the height of suffering and self-abuse. When numbing occurs when the body is extremely cold or extremely hot, numbing that occurs after flesh is burned or cut, numbing that occurs when love is betrayed, are all caused by external entities. When those externals are removed, prevented or eliminated, numbing does also. However, the numbing that occurs when failure is an accepted aspect of life, the numbing that occurs when one's actions are gauged, not based on personal asperations, but based on the failures of others, all exist internally. These internal entities cannot simply be removed. They need to be extracted carefully, piece-by-piece. Otherwise, the foundation that has been invaded will exist severely damaged. Internal entities of self-control (or coping) serve as a mechanism for dealing with life and fills a gap. Swiftly removing a coping mechanism away that helps a person "deal", places them at a disadvantage--mentally, emotionally and in some cases, physically.
So America cannot and will not just stop the process of glorified violence and destruction because it fills the gaps in our culture. America needs to be weened off of this drug--like a consciousness rehabilitation.
When we are numb from self-inflicted pain, no "pain" will exist, but damage will persist.
So a part of me is relieved that people are rioting and 60 people addressed the BART Board about this because it means that the pain is still sharp enough to cause a reaction, not because pain is good, but because pain needs to cause a reaction so that a "teachable moment" is realized.
At what point will we stop abusing ourselves? Pain is the America's drug of choice...and we will OD--but when?
Below is an article on the resignation of the officer who shot the 22 year-old man. I'll be following the outcomes of this. I don't know about you...
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/07/BART.shooting/index.html?iref=newssearch
Another video highlighting the riots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFsYYsB9B8k
I think I got that monkey off my back...I think.
...I didn't even discuss police brutality!!
I didn't discuss what changes could reform the way that law enforcement behaves, organizes, ranks itself and can ultimately revamp the way that law enforcement is perceived by the public!
AHHH...I feel unfulfilled by this post. The monkey is now a gorilla...
Another time...
Again?
So if you haven't heard, a 22-year old man was shot by a BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) police officer in Oakland, CA on New Year's Day. The victim was handcuffed face down and shot in the back in public. Below is a video report of the incident with clips caught by bystanders using the video feature of their camera phone.
For some reason, the videos won't embed correctly. I'll try again later. For now, use the links.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmewmYovccE
Below is a video of the riots that have followed. Yes, RIOTS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JfdWCJaAdo
This is a video of a guy trying too hard to find some action. He finds nothing really (he got there late) but if you skim through the video (kind of long) you'll see some of the aftermath of the riots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-p0xDdShwo
Here are also some articles on the reactions of the public...
http://www.ktvu.com/news/18434205/detail.html
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/01/08/MN2N155CN1.DTL
My only question is this:
Again???
For some reason, the videos won't embed correctly. I'll try again later. For now, use the links.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmewmYovccE
Below is a video of the riots that have followed. Yes, RIOTS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JfdWCJaAdo
This is a video of a guy trying too hard to find some action. He finds nothing really (he got there late) but if you skim through the video (kind of long) you'll see some of the aftermath of the riots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-p0xDdShwo
Here are also some articles on the reactions of the public...
http://www.ktvu.com/news/18434205/detail.html
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/01/08/MN2N155CN1.DTL
My only question is this:
Again???
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